Redefining residential mobility: The impact pathways of residential mobility experiences and expectations on subjective well-being

Abstract

Residential mobility is a critical socio-ecological factor involving substantial changes in both physical and social environments. However, existing research has inconsistently defined and measured residential mobility, creating ambiguity about whether past experiences or future expectations primarily drive its psychological impact. This study addresses this gap by examining both the distinctions and connections between residential mobility experiences and expectations, with the goal of identifying the primary mechanism influencing subjective well-being. Guided by pragmatic prospection theory and sensitised-specialisation theory, we conducted two studies. In Study 1, a manipulation experiment revealed that residential mobility expectations had a stronger impact on subjective well-being than residential mobility experiences. In Study 2, a large-scale survey demonstrated that residential mobility expectations mediate the relationship between residential mobility experiences and subjective well-being. Together, these findings highlight the distinct yet interconnected roles of residential mobility experiences and expectations. While residential mobility experiences provide a foundational context, it is the expectations of future mobility that predominantly shape the psychological impact on well-being. These results underscore residential mobility expectations as the primary mechanism by which residential mobility influences individual outcomes, offering valuable theoretical and practical insights.